Maastricht University - Prof. Jo Ritzen Scholarship

Prof. Jo Ritzen Scholarship

You get your full tuition fee covered for the three-year LLB in European Law School at Maastricht University. For 2026/27 that fee is 2,694 EUR (the lower tuition rate), paid once per academic year for up to 36 months across 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29. The amount can change slightly in later years. The award is funded by Maastricht University's Faculty of Law together with the University Fund Limburg. It is named after Jo Ritzen, a former university president and Dutch education minister who gave the first donation.

Who can apply

• Programme: You apply for the bachelor's programme European Law School (a three-year law degree, LLB, taught in English) at the Faculty of Law, starting September 2026.
• Nationality: You hold a Belgian, Luxembourgish or French passport.
• Residence permit: You meet the requirements for a Dutch residence permit (MVV).
• First in your family: Neither of your parents finished higher education (university or university of applied sciences). You would be the first in your family to study at that level.
• Admission: You meet the entry requirements and take part in the programme's selection procedure.
• One application only: You can submit one application for one scholarship, and you cannot change documents once sent.

How to apply

First apply for admission to the European Law School through Studielink to get your student ID. Then submit a separate scholarship application with a CV, a motivation letter explaining why you are a first-generation student, and a reference letter from your school. Applications are currently closed and reopen on 1 February 2027. Selected students are notified by official letter in July 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is cut very narrowly. You must be Belgian, Luxembourgish or French, be the first in your family to study, and get into one specific law programme. That keeps the eligible group small. If you fit all of those conditions and write a motivation letter tailored to the scholarship rather than a generic admissions text, your prospects are good. A strong school record and a clear reference help, since selection weighs grades, motivation and references together.